The Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement Sunday, expressed its “deep appreciation to the Jordanian Government and military officials” as well as to “all those who exerted and contributed to the collective efforts” for the release of the 21 peacekeepers who are members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Philippine government has welcomed the release of the 21 Filipino peacekeepers detained by Syrian rebels since Wednesday in the vicinity of Al Jamla — in the area of limitation — in Syria.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement Sunday, expressed its “deep appreciation to the Jordanian Government and military officials” as well as to “all those who exerted and contributed to the collective efforts” for the release Saturday of the 21 peacekeepers who are members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
UNDOF is in Syria to monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between the country and Israel after the 1973 war.
The DFA stressed the “impartiality of UNDOF and its mandate to monitor the Disengagement of Forces Agreement” as it reiterated that all parties must “respect the freedom of movement and safety and security” of the UNDOF peacekeepers.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also called on all parties “to respect and uphold the protection of civilians,” in a statement released by his spokesperson.
Ban Ki-moon said he “appreciates the efforts of all concerned to secure the safe release.” (Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan/davaotoday.com)
